EP1023772B1 - Operating element for electronic appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

Electronic appliances can seem complicated to operate due to the large number of operating buttons. The aim of the invention is make the operation of an electronic appliance clearer whilst maintaining a high level of user comfort. To this end, an operating element for electronic appliances with a display, especially car radios, is provided with an incremental encoder (3) which can be activated in two opposite directions, and a control mechanism (6) for converting the incremental impulses produced into a corresponding control signal for adjusting a setting of the electronic appliance. The incremental encoder (3) can be activated in a third direction to select another setting. The invention is characterised in that when the incremental encoder (3) is activated in the third direction, the control mechanism is switched over so that a plurality of settings displayed on the display (2) can be selected in succession by means of the incremental impulses of the incremental encoder when it is activated in one of the two opposite directions. By switching the control mechanism (6) back, it is possible to adjust the value of the setting through the incremental impulses.

Description

The invention relates to an operating element for electronic Devices with a display, in particular car radios, with a Increment encoder that can be operated in two opposite directions and a controller for converting generated increment pulses in a corresponding control signal for adjustment a setting quantity of the electronic device, the Increment encoder in a third direction to select another Setting variable can be actuated (EP 0 347 686).

The increasing complexity of electronic devices that are often operated with additional benefits, such as Car radios require more complicated controls traditionally with an increase in the number of control buttons is made possible. This will make the electronic Device confusing and the user is often overwhelmed.

The solution to the operating problem for complex electronic devices regularly goes to the number of control buttons reduce and give them more functions. This includes the implementation of so-called softkeys attributed their current function by a label on the display to get.

Another possibility is an adjusting device, for example in the form a rotary control or a rocker for setting different operating sizes to take advantage of together. This requires the appropriate operating size select and then operate the adjustment element to the value of the selected Change the operating size. Through the car radio GRUNDIG EC 4000 RDS is a Knobs in the form of an incremental controller known by its operation in one Direction of rotation or in the opposite direction of rotation the value of a selected one Operating size can be changed in one direction or the other. To change the Operating size, it is possible to switch the rotary control by tapping to a select the next operating variable, which is then set by turning the rotary control can be. If, in this concept, a large number of operating variables is used by Rotary control should be adjustable, there is a cumbersome sequential selection of desired operating size by a predefined number of typing steps. Becomes If you accidentally take one tap step too much, all other operating parameters must be changed be selected again before the desired operating size can be set. The This increases the clarity of operation of the electronic device a considerable reduction in operating convenience through the control element.

From EP 347 686 A1 is a rotary actuator for digital pulses and a Application methods known to the donor. By means of the rotary encoder Settings made or switched to a sub-function. With the A pull and / or push switch is operatively connected to the axis of rotation, so that Delivery of switching signals to the encoder in an agreed order Function selection or function setting as well as acknowledgment and / or Storage operations are assigned.

From EP 366 132 B1 a multifunction control device is known in which one and the same bidirectional rotary switch for menu selection and individual Function selection serves. This can e.g. a sequence of letters or a Word combination can be entered.

The invention is therefore based on the problem, an operating element at the beginning train the type mentioned so that not only the clarity of operation of the electronic device by reducing the setting elements but also improved an easy and uncomplicated usability is given.

To solve this problem is a control element at the beginning mentioned type, in which by the operation of the increment encoder in the third direction the control is switched over so that by incremental pulses the increment encoder operated in one of the two opposite directions a plurality of setting variables shown on the display can be selected in succession and by undoing the switchover of the controller, the selected one The value of the setting variable can be set by means of the increment pulses, according to the invention, characterized in that the increment encoder is a seesaw and that the third Direction lies in an operating plane perpendicular to the rocking direction.

In the control element according to the invention is by pressing the Incremental encoder in the third direction made such a switch that after switching with the by adjusting the increment encoder in the two opposite directions are generated incremental pulses to select one desired operating size can be used. At the latest by switching the The incremental encoder shows the selectable operating variables in one linear assignment, so that by pressing the increment encoder in one of the two opposite directions a selection signal about the supply of selectable operating size is shifted in one direction or the other. Is the The desired operating size can then be selected by undoing the Switching over this operating variable in its value by actuating it Incremental encoder can be adjusted in one of the two opposite directions. The Switching thus leads to a second operating level, in which the originally for Incremental encoders are now set for a specified operating size for the Selection of one of several operating variables is used. The second operating level is thus arranged hierarchically above the normal operating level. By returning to the normal operating level can be the setting variable selected in the second operating level can now be changed and adjusted in the desired manner.

The concept according to the invention can therefore be used with a seesaw be performed, switching the control due to the rocker being movable in one operating level perpendicular to the rocking direction.

Complete operation with a single increment encoder is possible if for Switching the control of the increment encoder in the third direction and the Increment pulses for the selection of a setting variable in the third direction actuated position of the incremental encoder can be generated. With an additional Execution of the increment encoder as a rotary knob the knob can be turned in the two opposite directions can be rotated, for example, ascending or to generate descending increments. If the knob can be pushed in, can the selection of the setting variables by turning the Knob in one of the two directions of rotation in the pressed Position can be made. Will the knob again released, the adjustment can be in the pressed position selected setting variable by turning the rotary knob normally be made.

It is also possible to use the increment encoder in the third direction to be actuated by tapping. With a typing pulse will then switch between the operating levels carried out so that after tapping the selection of a setting variable is possible. The undo then takes place by tapping again, so that the selected setting variable is adjustable.

The functionality of the control element according to the invention can be expand many times. If, for example, the selection a setting variable is made with an increment encoder, in the position actuated in the third direction Generation of increment pulses can be mere Tap the increment encoder in the third direction another Function, which can also consist of just generate an increment in a given direction, so that in addition also a conventional sequential Selection of the operating variables is possible. A long press on the Increment encoder in the third direction without the increment encoder to operate in one of the two opposite directions can be evaluated as a signal for an initial setting return or switch off the device completely.

It is also possible to provide a timer circuit by which resets the electronic device to an initial state if the increment encoder has a predefined Time has not been operated.

It is still possible to operate the increment encoder in the third or another direction at least one further switchover to perform in which by operating the increment encoder in one of the first further controls can be carried out in both directions. So it's with that Control element according to the invention possible, in addition to the normal and the second Operating level to implement a third or further operating level. At a The rotary knob can, for example, press the second operating level and the third Operating level by pulling out of a middle normal position of the rotary knob be realized. Another option is to tap the Rotary knob to the second operating level, by tapping twice on the third Switch operating level etc. You can then undo the switch a simple tap is enough.

If the setting values available on one operating level are so numerous that they cannot be meaningfully shown on the display in a linear assignment to one another, can after switching the control by operating the increment encoder different groups of setting variables in the two directions of actuation can be called up on the display, within which the subsequent selection of the setting variable through which incremental pulses can be carried out. Should then on the unselected group of the setting variables within the operating level, this can be done expediently by reversing the switchover and a new one The relevant operating level is selected.

Figur 1 -

eine Ansicht der Bedientafel eines Autoradios

Figur 2 -

eine schematische Schaltung für das Bedienelement

Figur 3 -

eine schematische Darstellung der Funktion eines Bedienelements

Figur 4 -

eine schematische Darstellung der Funktion eines weiteren Bedienelements

The invention will be explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:

Figure 1 -

a view of the control panel of a car radio

Figure 2 -

a schematic circuit for the control element

Figure 3 -

a schematic representation of the function of a control element

Figure 4 -

a schematic representation of the function of a further control element

Figure 1 shows a control panel 1 of a car radio on which is a large display 2 and a single control button 3 is provided to control all functions. The Control button 3 is in the usual way and in the opposite rotatable clockwise so that there are two adjustment directions result. The rotary knob 3 is designed as an increment encoder, with which therefore no absolute settings but only relative settings made to an initial setting become. The rotary knob 3 is in addition to the two directions of rotation pushable in the direction of its axis of rotation, so perform other functions.

Figure 2 shows the basic circuit arrangement of a Control element. The one trained as an incremental encoder Knob 3 has two switches 4, with which dependent from the direction of rotation of the knob 3 increments in of the respective direction of rotation. Another Switch 5 closes a contact when the knob is towards its axis of rotation is depressed.

A controller 6 connected to the rotary knob 3 also detects Using a microprocessor and evaluating with the help of a counter the increments for generating control signals. Further control 6 controls display 2.

A function of the rotary knob 3 is shown in Figure 3. In a starting position 11 leads turning the rotary knob 3 to generate a number of increments characterizing the degree of rotation in a first direction 12 or opposite second direction 13. A setting variable can be used in a conventional manner of the electronic device, for example the volume, is increased (Direction 12) or reduced (Direction 13). The starting position 11 therefore ensures an adjustment in a first operating level 14.

By pressing the rotary knob 3, the switch 5 a switchover to a second operating level 15 takes place. By Turn the rotary knob 13 after switching to the second Operating level 15 in the second operating level 15 are numerous Setting variables shown in display 2 can be selected. Since the Turn button 3 in both directions to select the setting variable is adjustable in the second operating level 15, too much generated increment with which a selection of a beyond the desired setting size lying setting size made has been reversed immediately by turning it in the other direction be made. After making the desired selection has been, the rotary knob 3 is in the normal position 11 returned so that in the first operating level 14 now another setting variable can be set using the rotary knob 3 is, for example the setting of depths or heights of the Speaker reproduction of the car radio.

The control element 2, 3 can be particularly advantageously also for the generation of a text use the display 2. You can do this in the starting position 11 characters that can be entered by turning the rotary knob 3, for example Letters and / or punctuation marks can be set. By switching the rotary knob 3 to the second operating level 15 can then be a position on the display 2, for example can be selected within a line in which the in the first operating level 14 selected characters to appear brought. As the setting variable for the second operating level 15 therefore serves a position on the display 2 during the setting the value of this parameter in the first operating level 14 in the selection of the desired character by upwards or downward increments, preferably in the sense of the alphabet. In this application example it is particularly useful if a short Tapping the rotary knob 3 the next setting variable in the second operating level, as the next position of a letter or character, can be selected. After completing the entry can be done by holding down the rotary knob 3 without a Rotating movement the "Text editor" function can be exited and the return to a starting position (e.g. volume adjustment) be made.

The second example shown in FIG. 4 corresponds in the starting position 11 by selecting the first Operating level 14 completely that shown in Figure 3 Example. However, there is a difference in impressions of the rotary knob 3, since it does so in a second operating level 15 is passed, but no setting variables are selectable. By turning the rotary knob to the left in the depressed position is a first Group 16 of setting variables selected during one rotation of the rotary knob 3 in the pressed position for selection would lead to a second group 17 of setting variables.

For example, the first group 16 of setting variables is selected been, by turning the knob 3 in or counter-clockwise a selection of a setting variable be made from the first group 16. By transition in the normal position 11 can the value of the selected Adjustment variable by turning the rotary knob 3 in the normal position 11, that is, in the first operating level 14 become. However, there is the desired setting variable not in the first group 16 of the setting variables, the Release knob 3, i.e. returned to its normal position 11. After pressing rotary knob 3 and then simultaneously turning the rotary knob 3 to the right the other group 17 of the setting variables is shown on the display 2 and can now be selected.

This example is particularly useful when a large number of setting variables can be selected and a representation of all selectable setting variables on the display 2 not possible due to the limited size of the display 2 or would be too confusing.

Claims (7)

1. Control element for electronic appliances having a display (2), particularly car radios, having an incremental sensor (3) which can be actuated in two opposite directions and having a controller (6) for converting generated increment pulses into a corresponding control signal for varying an adjustment variable for the electronic appliance, where the incremental sensor (3) can be actuated in a third direction for the purpose of selecting another adjustment variable, where actuation of the incremental sensor (3) in the third direction means that the controller (6) has been changed over, so that increment pulses from the incremental sensor (3) actuated in one of the two opposite directions can successively select a plurality of adjustment variables displayed on the display (2), and reversing the changeover of the controller (6) allows the value of the selected adjustment variable to be adjusted by the increment pulses, characterized in that the incremental sensor (3) is a rocker and in that the third direction lies in a control plane which is at right angles to the rocking direction.
2. Control element according to Claim 1, characterized in that the controller (6) is changed over by actuating the incremental sensor (3) in the third direction and by being able to generate the increment pulses for selecting an adjustment variable in that position of the incremental sensor (3) which is actuated in the third direction.
3. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the incremental sensor (3) can be actuated in the third direction by means of a momentary touch.
4. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a supplementary function can be performed by momentarily touching the incremental sensor (3) in the third direction.
5. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a supplementary function can be triggered by actuating the incremental sensor (3) in the third direction for a predetermined period of time without actuating it in one of the first two directions.
6. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that actuating the incremental sensor (3) in the third or in another direction allows at least one further changeover to be made in which actuating the incremental sensor (3) in one of the first two directions allows further control operations to be performed.
7. Control element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, following changeover of the controller (6) as a result of actuation of the incremental sensor (3) in the two directions of actuation, different groups (16, 17) of adjustment variables can be retrieved on the display (2), within which groups the subsequent selection of the adjustment variable by the increment pulses can be made.

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